News
Maryland Legislative Update
Today, April 7th, is the end of this year’s 90-Day legislative session. In the last week of the session, attention was focused on how Governor Moore and legislative leaders will resolve the state’s budget shortfall. Uncertainty at the federal level related to budget and job cuts and agency presence in Maryland has complicated an already challenging budget year. In late March, Governor Moore and legislative leaders announced a broad agreement on a budget balanced by more than $2 billion in budget reductions and over $1 billion in new taxes. Details on a new $500 million tax on data and information technology services remain in flux but differences are expected to be resolved by a conference committee comprised of House and Senate leaders.
With the legislature missing its constitutional requirement to complete work on the budget by the 83rd day of the session and therefore triggering a letter from Governor Moore invoking a requirement for an extended legislative session to finish work on the budget, a balanced budget is expected to be completed before the end of session.
Below is an update on bills and issues of interest to the disability community generally as well as Maryland Works and the Employment Works Program specifically.
Developmental Disabilities Administration Budget
As part of the decision by the Moore administration and legislative budget leaders to restore much of the proposed Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) cuts, the legislature is expected to require DDA to submit a report broadly detailing cost containment measures both implemented and planned for fiscal year 2025 and fiscal year 2026, including specific actions related to State-only funded services, the day-to-day administrator category of services, and Low Intensity Support Services. Final report language will part of the budget conference committee’s work that will be finalized in the remaining days of the legislative session.
HB 430 Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program – Upper Age Limit – Prohibition
This bill prohibits the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) from establishing an upper age limit on eligibility to receive services in the Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) program. No action has been taken by the House of Delegates.
HB 500/SB 426 Procurement Reform Act of 2025
Governor Moore’s major procurement reform initiative includes the anticipated shift of the Preferred Provider Program from the Department of General Services (DGS) to the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs (GOSBA). A priority of Governor Moore, this bill has passed the House of Delegates and is awaiting final approval from the Senate.
HB 502/SB 433 Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy and Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative – Established
This bill introduced by the Moore Administration establishes the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy (ODEAP) in the Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) to, among other things, implement the Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative. The goal of the legislation is to make Maryland a leader in employing individuals with disabilities, addressing both employment disparities and workforce shortages. After concerns related to the program’s cost were addressed, the bill is now expected to pass.
HB 508/SB 795 State Procurement Preferences – Blind Industries and Services of Maryland – Packaging and Repackaging
This bill supported by Blind Services Industries of Maryland (BISM) would clarify that janitorial products packaged or repacked by BISM be included as part of BISM’s scope within the Preferred Provider Program. Both bills have passed the House and Senate and are expected to be signed into law by Governor Moore.
HB 541/SB 365 Department of Commerce – Nonprofit Organizations Navigator – Established
This bill establishes a nonprofit organizations navigator within the Department of Commerce. Among other duties, the navigator must represent the interests and concerns of nonprofit organizations as a member of the Maryland Efficient Grant Application (MEGA) Council. Senate Bill 365 passed the Senate, but the House has taken no action on either bill.
HB 1244/SB 1027 Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration Waiver Advisory Council – Establishment
This bill establishes the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration Waiver Advisory Council to advise and provide recommendations to the Developmental Disabilities Administration on system design, service delivery, and quality enhancement strategies for the Medicaid waiver programs operated by the Administration. The Senate Finance Committee approved HB 1244 with amendments that the House is expected to agree with.
HB 1253 Department of Social Equity
Sponsored by House Speaker Adrienne Jones, HB 1253 creates a new cabinet level department to reorganize several existing agencies and programs, including the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs (GOSBA); the Office of Social Equity (OSE) in the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA); and the Office of Minority Business Enterprises (OMBE) in the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). Should the Preferred Provider Program be transferred to GOSBA under Governor Moore’s procurement reform legislation, this bill could result in the Preferred Provider Program ultimately being housed within this new department. The bill passed the House and is expected to pass the Senate.
Source: Manis Canning & Associates